Where to Go to Experience Blues History in Memphis
With a rich history of soul, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll, Memphis is one of the United States’ great music cities—and its legacy lives on in its museums, monuments, and live music venues. From the bars of Beale Street to the Blues Hall of Fame, these are Memphis’ must-visit sites for fans of the blues.
Beale Street
Iconic street dubbed the “Home of the Blues.”
Beale Street has been the entertainment hub of Memphis since the roaring 20s and the 2-mile (3-kilometer) long strip is a living tribute to the city’s blues history. Come in the day to visit the W.C. Handy Home and Museum, the former home of the “Father of the Blues,” and seek out your favorite artists along the Brass Note Walk of Fame. At night, tuck into BBQ ribs, order a cocktail, and watch some live music at venues such as Mr. Handy's Blues Hall, Jerry Lee Lewis' Cafe & Honky Tonk, and Rum Boogie Café.
Don’t miss: Live music every night of the week at the original B.B. Kings Blues Club, 143 Beale Street.
Handy Park
Open-air music concerts at the heart of Beale Street.
Named after the blues legend W.C. Handy and overlooked by his trumpet-toting effigy, this public park doubles up as an open-air amphitheatre. Come on a summer afternoon to enjoy free live music concerts by local bands and artists.
Don’t miss: Snap a selfie with W.C. Handy, whose statue stands watch over the park.
Blues Hall of Fame Museum
A who’s-who of America’s blues musicians.
Everyone from Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf to John Mayall and Eric Clapton have their moment in the limelight at this Memphis museum. Interactive touchscreens allow fans to learn about their favorite artists, listen to their music, and watch live performance videos. Additional highlights include a piano belonging to Otis Spann, Mavis Staples’ GRAMMY® gown, and one of R.L. Burnside’s guitars.
Don’t miss: The Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise Gallery, where temporary exhibits change every few months.
Wild Bill's
Historic juke joint where the locals hang out.
Away from the buzzing bars of Beale Street, Wild Bill’s offers a more local vibe in an intimate one-room venue. There’s live music from Thursday to Sunday, a house band that plays authentic Delta Blues, and you can BYOB.
Don’t miss: The weekly blues jam sessions every Sunday from 4pm till late.
Sun Studio
Recording studio where the likes of Elvis and Johnny Cash got their first break.
Peek behind the scenes of Memphis’ much-talked-about Sun Studio on a guided tour. See the vocal booths where B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded their hit songs; listen to outtakes from recording sessions; and marvel over memorabilia from blues, country, and rock ‘n’ roll legends.
Don’t miss: The obligatory photo op singing into Elvis’ Shure 55 microphone.
Shangri-La Records
Browse for classic vinyl at the city’s coolest record store.
Crammed with vintage 45s, rare music memorabilia, and dog-eared sheet music, Shangri-La Records is a one-stop-shop for Memphis music. Feel nostalgic as you flip through classic blues LPs, check out local talent, or test the staff’s encyclopaedic knowledge of the Memphis music scene.
Don’t miss: Live music and discount records during the store’s three annual sales—Purge Fest (March), Sweatfest (August), and The Purgening (November).
Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum
Smithsonian-run museum chronicling Memphis music history.
At the meeting point of Beale Street and B.B. King Avenue, this interactive museum deep dives into Memphis’ musical and cultural heritage, and proves how the two are inseparable. Follow the birth of the blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll, from the workers of the Mississippi Delta to the sharecroppers that took over Beale Street, through the Civil Rights Movement and the 1970s heyday.
Don’t miss: Look out for the jukeboxes dotted throughout the museum—they are loaded up with classic Memphis tunes.
More things to do in Memphis
